30 Easy Buns for Long Hair

chartreuse bantu knots — Delmaine Donson / Getty Images

Those of us with long hair have a love/hate relationship with it. On good hair days, we love showing it off (there's really nothing like a good hair flip). On bad hair days, all we want to do is hide it from the world. Our go-to hairstyle for those bad days? A bun. A bun is just easy. It keeps our hair out of our faces in a secure way that a ponytail just doesn't. It's also relatively low-maintenance and pretty much goes with everything. The best part: There are so many ways to wear one. We scoured the world (aka Instagram and Google) and rounded up the buns that our favorite celebrities have been wearing, then turned to the experts for advice on how to recreate them. From structured knots to space buns, we've got it all covered—and for different hair textures, too.

Meet the Expert

Trey Gillen is the creative director at hair care company SACHAJUAN.
Nick Stenson is an ambassador and celebrity stylist for L’ORÉAL/Matrix and Ulta Beauty’s Senior Vice President for Store & Service Operations.

Scroll on to get a look at some of the easiest buns for long hair.

01 of 30

Tight Low Bun

If you're running around doing errands, slick back your hair into a low, tight bun. All you have to do is gather all your hair, pull it tight so that no strands are loose, twist it in a circle, and secure with a hair elastic. For a sleek look, apply a bit of hair gel or cream to your roots beforehand, like Moroccanoil's Hydrating Styling Cream ($36).

02 of 30

Low Bun With Headband

woman wearing a headband with center part — Georgie Hunter / Contributor / Getty Images

A little accessorizing never hurt anybody. If you're feeling daring, slick your strands down into a center part, gather into a low bun at the nape of your neck, then top it all off with a chunky headband. The look is preppy, with a twist.

03 of 30

Topknot with Bangs

Want to spice up your topknot? Pair it with some face-framing bangs for an upgraded look. "Use SACHAJUAN's Moulding Spray ($30) to piece out the fringe and tousle the bun," says Gillen.

04 of 30

High Bun with Accessories

Dress up a high bun with some hair accessories. To add a bit of sparkle to your look, pop some rhinestone hairpins throughout your bun (we love Anthropologie's Robine Hair Pin Set, $78) Want to take the look a step further? Instead of sweeping your entire mane into a high bun, leave the bottom half hanging free for a striking half-up, half-down bun hairstyle.

05 of 30

Sleek Space Buns

yara-shahidi-space-buns — NOAM GALAI, Getty Images

We're really digging the whole '90s-style revival that's going on right now. This half-up space buns hairstyle is giving us major throwback feels. To create it, part your hair down the middle and mist a texture spray throughout your mane. Then, gather the hair on one side and bring all strands up to the top of your head, twist, and secure with an elastic and bobby pins. Repeat on the other side. Be sure to style the edges, too, to keep the entire look sleek.

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Half-Up Bun

Can't commit to a full bun? Gillen recommends giving a half-up bun a try. Part your hair from ear to ear and twist the top section into a bun. Use SACHAJUAN's Ocean Mist ($34) for texture and control.

07 of 30

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots have a deep, rich history in African culture, and the style has been reinvented in several ways since. Traditionally, the method for creating Bantu knots is separating the hair into even sections and twisting the hair around itself into spiraled knots. It's often worn as a protective style or as an overnight set to preserve curls.

08 of 30

Three-Loop Bun

What's better than one bun? Three! "For a three-loop bun, pull your hair into a high ponytail. Split the ponytail into three equal sections and loop them under and use bobby pins to secure them in place," Gillen explains. "Leave the ends messy and visible. SACHAJUAN's Dark Dry Powder Shampoo ($39) is a great way to lock in the bobby pins for no-slip and a great lived-in texture."

09 of 30

High Loose Bun

Who said your bun hairstyle had to be perfectly in place? We're big fans of a slightly messy, undone look, and that's exactly what this high loose bun falls under. Simply gather your natural hair directly on top of your head in a loose bun and pull a few face-framing strands loose. One move and you're done! If you have naturally curly hair, consider defining your texture with a curl mousse beforehand.

10 of 30

Pineapple Bun

Prefer a little less structure to your look? Gather your strands into a pineapple bun. This fun look is fit for any occasion, be it the office or a red carpet event. We particularly love it with some laid edges along the hairline. This look involves pulling hair into a high ponytail and allowing the curly lengths to spill over the top like a pineapple.

11 of 30

Flat Messy Bun

If you think messy buns are a one-size-fits-all deal, we're here to tell you differently. A flat messy bun is a bit more put-together than the traditional version, making it ultra-chic for a night out on the town. To get the look, Gillen says to smush your bun down and spread it out. "The SACHAJUAN's Hair Powder ($44) will give you just the right grip and grit to hold this puppy down," he adds.

12 of 30

Classic Chignon

This loose, classic chignon still has plenty of character. Slightly positioned at the nape of the neck, it pairs the style with loose, romantic tendrils framing the fact. To help with texture, use Amika's Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray ($27) prior to styling your strands into your bun.

13 of 30

Princess Bun

Consider yourself a romantic? Try the center part princess bun. "Add volume around the face for an 80’s vibe by saturating the hair with SACHAJUAN's Hair Mousse ($34)," says Gillen. "Toss dry before you pull it up to get the fluff."

14 of 30

Knotted Bun

Another knotted easy bun hairstyle, the knotted bun is a classic and chic option for those who are looking to get their hair out of their face. "After securing the ponytail twist from the bottom to create tension and until you have a taught rope twist. Keeping the ends pinched with one hand, use the other to loosely blouse bits of hair out of the twist. Finish by wrapping the tousled twist into a bun and secure with bobby pins," says Stenson. To give it a sleek finish, apply a finishing cream to your roots, like Drybar's Liquid Glass Miracle Smoothing Sealant ($34).

15 of 30

Side Bun

Practicing your bun skills? One of the easiest ways to get the hang of things is with a side bun. This way, you can see what you're doing as you style! "It's super easy and you can see everything you're doing in the bathroom mirror," says Gillen. To help guide your strands in one direction, apply R + Co's Sand Castle Dry Texture Crème ($29) to dry strands.

Byrdie Tip

If you're still working on your bun skills, try a side-swept bun so you can watch what you're doing in the mirror as you style.

16 of 30

Half-Up Braided Bun

Bring on the texture! Who said you had to put all of your hair up for a stunning bun hairstyle? Instead, take notes from Kelly Rowland with this half-up, half-down braided bun hairstyle. Mist your hair with a shine spray, like Redken's Shine Flash 02 Shine Spray ($23) to complete the look.

17 of 30

Sleek Bun

When summer humidity hits, Gillen suggests a tight and sleek bun. "First, saturate hair with a hair mousse (try Mizani's Styling Foam Mousse, $18), then comb your hair back into the bun for a very sleek and smooth base," says Gillen.

18 of 30

Double Topknot

You know what they say: Two is better than one. "For something playful, try the modern double top knot," says Gillen. He recommends using SACHAJUAN's Shine Serum ($33) to add shine and leave your hair frizz-free.

19 of 30

Slicked-Back Topknot

For a sleek and polished bun hairstyle for long hair that can be done in a matter of minutes, look no further than a slicked-back topknot. This is a clever styling option for those who want to disguise oily, second-day roots and flyaways. "Begin by prepping the hair with Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray ($20) and brush through with a paddle brush," says Stenson. Once the hair is, apply a dime-size amount of hair gel to your roots (we love R + Co's Motorcycle Flexible Gel, $28) for added shine.

20 of 30

Braided Bun

Want a bun with beautiful texture? Look no further than the braided bun. "Try using a hair powder to separate and expand the braid, giving the illusion of thick hair," Gillen says.

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Low Knotted Bun

To get this look, you'll want to make sure your hair is as sleek and smooth as possible. Pull your hair back and apply a hair gel to your roots, like Davines' This is a Strong Hold Cream Gel ($28), before twisting into a bun at the mid-part of the head. Then, knot the ends around themself before securing with pins.

22 of 30

Side-Swept Braided Bun

A side-swept braided bun is easy to execute and makes you look instantly polished, as proven by Charlize Theron. To add a bit of texture to your braided bun, first, spritz your mid-lengths to ends with Moraccanoil's Dry Texture Spray ($30).

23 of 30

French Twist

For something effortless-looking, Gillen suggests twisting your strands into a loose sideways French Twist. "Gather all of your hair and put a ponytail holder on the very ends of your hair. Starting from the bottom, roll your hair up horizontally into the nape of your neck. Then, pin the style into place with bobby pins," he says. Don't forget to set your style with SACHAJUAN's Strong Control Hairspray ($39).

24 of 30

Classic Topknot

Kendall Jenner proved that a casual sky-high topknot can be sophisticated and red carpet-worthy when paired with wispy bangs and statement earrings. Fortunately, we know exactly how to re-create Kendall Jenner's iconic topknot. Hint: You'll want to tame flyaways with Ouai's Finishing Crème ($24).

25 of 30

Cornrow High Bun

It's safe to say we're a fan of long braids twisted into a hair bun. We love how Joy Bryant styled her cornrow braids with a makeshift high bun—easy and effortless. To mimic the high-shine style, mist your bun with a shine spray.

26 of 30

Loose Low Bun

Low Messy Bun — Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

A low, loose bun for long hair is a great option for disguising your hair elastic. "Keep this very loose and twist the ponytail into shape, hiding your elastic," says Gillen. Use SACHAJUAN's Light and Flexible Hairspray ($39), which will hold the style while you work.

27 of 30

Messy Low Chignon

To add a bit of personality to a classic updo, try a messy low chignon. "SACHAJUAN's Hair Paste ($34) will give perfect texture and lived-in look with this modern timeless classic," says Gillen.

28 of 30

Frontward Topknot

Time to test gravity's limits. Flip your head over and gather your strands into a topknot close to your forehead. Of course, this hair bun wouldn't be complete without a high-shine finish, like R + Co's Trophy Shine + Texture Spray ($33).

29 of 30

Relaxed Bun

Quick and Easy Hairstyles for Long Hair Messy Bun Tinashe — Getty Images

Leave it to TInashe to show us how chic a relaxed bun looks. When you gather and twist hair at the top of your head, just keep it loose rather than wrapping around super tight, and leave some front strands drooping by your face. For added texture, mist Bumble and bumble's Thickening Dryspun Volume Texture Spray ($31) throughout your hair before creating your bun.

30 of 30

Low Bun with Bangs

Heading to a formal event? Gillen suggests pinning a tight low bun and dropping out your fringe. "Twist and bobby pin the hair tight to your head, then apply SACHAJUAN's Hair Wax ($34) to the fringe and quickly curl with a one-inch curling iron on low heat for messy tendrils," he says.

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